Table of contents for 1805 in Auto Express

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Fourth generation revealed ● Hatch and estate options SKODA has pulled the wraps off its fourth-generation Superb – with a focus on style, sustainability and better efficiency. Although the look features the brand’s Modern Solid design language, it’s an evolution from previous models. The long bonnet flows into an octagonal grille that dips in the centre for a larger, flush-fitting Skoda badge. The grille is flanked by slimmer headlights featuring the latest matrix-LED technology, delivering 40 per cent more light. The windscreen rake now features a shallower angle, while the roofline has been streamlined and the A-pillars get rain deflectors – all making the Superb’s shape more slippery than ever, aiding efficiency. The dark chrome trim around the grille is repeated on the bumper’s lower section and…

Ranger given the overland treatment CONCEPTS were the order of the day at SEMA, but as well as its tuned Mustang, Ford Performance revealed an ORV (off-road vehicle) package for the Ranger pick-up (below). Featuring ARB suspension, new bumpers with additional recovery points, an on-board air compressor, extra lights and a fridge freezer, it’s the ultimate overlanding vehicle. UK availability hasn’t been confirmed. And Transit Custom gets in on the act, too WHILE the Mustang and Ranger are official Ford projects, this modified Transit Custom camper (below) has been unveiled by tuner Loder1899. Prepped to go off the beaten track, the van gets a lift kit, 18-inch wheels and chunky tyres. The Transit Custom 4x4 sits 80mm higher than normal, while large plastic wheelarch extensions have been added to accommodate…

PURE-ELECTRIC estates have been thin on the ground so far, but Volkswagen has teased its forthcoming entry to the class: a wagon version of the ID.7, which is set to arrive in 2024. Dubbed the VW ID.7 Tourer, it’s the production version of the ID. Space Vizzion concept. It’ll sit in parallel with the new hybrid-powered Passat Estate in VW’s line-up. Despite the camouflage, it’s clear that the ID.7 Tourer shares the saloon’s design traits. That car is capable of 435 miles on the WLTP test cycle, but given the Tourer’s more practical form, we don’t expect it to be quite able to match it. However, VW says the car is only 0.01Cd less aerodynamically efficient than the saloon. Powertrains will be carried over, with 77kWh or 82kWh battery options…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram ● Update to bring EV6 in line with new EV9 ● New tech, too, but no change to powertrains THE Kia EV6 is set to get a completely new look, with the facelifted model featuring a major redesign that will bring it closer in appearance to the brand’s newly launched EV9 flagship (see page 22). Due towards the middle of next year, the EV6 – Kia’s first dedicated electric car and the basis for a deluge of forthcoming EV-badged models – will get a cleaner front end and more distinctive running lights, previewed here by our exclusive image. Marketing director for Kia Europe, David Hilbert, told us: “Some time in the future, there will be enhancements to [EV6], and having that common design language [with EV9] will be…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Hong Kong hosts last event of the season ● All-tarmac track will offer unique conditions THE finale of the 2023 World Rallycross (WRX) season takes place in Hong Kong this weekend, rounding off a tumultuous first year of all-electric running that’s delivered plenty of drama both on and off the track. A paddock fire that destroyed Special ONE Racing’s garage and its Lancia Delta Evo-e RX machines at Lydden Hill in July had a knock-on effect for the championship, with the British, Belgian and German events all subsequently cancelled. However, the series returned in October when South Africa hosted the fourth and fifth races of the year. Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson has been strong throughout, and looks set to take his sixth WRX title in Hong Kong courtesy…

THE MX-5 in these images is part of Mazda UK’s own heritage fleet. It’s an early car from 1990, with a full Mazda service history and just 39,000 miles on the clock, and its specification is totally original. This MX-5, as with the rest of Mazda’s UK heritage fleet, is running on Coryton sustainable fuels. The ‘80’ in its Super 80 name refers to the percentage of agricultural waste used to make it. This includes straw plus by-products and waste crops not fit for human or animal consumption. Coryton says the 98-octane-rated fuel reduces greenhouse gases by 65 per cent compared with petrol. A one per cent bio-ethanol content makes Super 80 safe to use in classic cars, too. On the road, it feels identical to a car running on…

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Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk @JordanKatsianis THE Touareg is something of a lone ranger in the Volkswagen line up; a lasting relic of VW’s late CEO Ferdinand Piech that was designed to rival and conquer models from far more upmarket brands upon its launch back in 2002. Yet as VW’s SUVs have diversified downwards over the past two decades, so the Touareg has retained its higher standing in its third-generation form – one that’s now made stronger by a recent mid-life update. Five powertrains are offered: two V6 diesels, a turbocharged V6 petrol and two plug-in hybrids. We’re testing the lower-specification 375bhp PHEV, which is new to the range and promises an ideal balance between performance and efficiency. Its petrol engine is paired with an electric motor that draws power from a relatively compact…

MODEL TESTED: E-2008 GT PRICE: £40,700 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 54kWh battery, 154bhp 154bhp Powertrain 1x e-motor 54kWh Bettery/range 250 miles 9.1 seconds Performance 93mph 434 litres Seats up/down 1,467 litres IN GT guise tested here, the updated E-2008 costs £40,700, which is £1,710 more than the top-spec Atto 3. Allure trim is slightly below the BYD at £38,500, but misses some key equipment. Tech highlights THE Peugeot 2008 has been a huge success since the second-generation model launched in 2019, and we reckon it was always at its best in electric form as the E-2008. The original version had a range of around 214 miles courtesy of a 50kWh battery, and this updated version – easily identified by its dramatic-looking new grille and distinctive alloy wheels – has a larger…

WINNER 1st BYD Atto 3 BOTH of these electric SUVs are pleasant enough to drive, have enough space for a family and offer low running costs thanks to their electric powertrains. The Atto 3 gets almost all of the basic stuff right without blowing us away in any one area. But if you’re looking for an EV that offers strong value for money, then it’s hard to beat. The BYD manages to undercut its rival, but also achieves this with stronger performance, a longer real-world range and more standard equipment. INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information 1st ● Value for money  ● Punchy performance  ● Lots of tech  ● Unique yet practical interior ● Some ergonomic flaws  ● Noisier than E-2008  ● Unproven dealer service  ● Plain styling RUNNER-UP…

SAME CLASS Kia e-Niro THE e-Niro was a revolutionary car when it arrived, proving that a small family SUV with electric power was the future for many car makers. It was one of the first EVs to be a convincing overall package, bringing together strong range and rapid charging, a practical interior, a comfy ride and plenty of tech. It looks even better as a used buy, costing less than half of what you’ll pay for one of our two main rivals here with similar tech and road manners. ● Strong performance  ● Plenty of range ● Bland exterior looks  ● Plain interior design SAME MONEY Jaguar I-Pace WITH around £38,000 to spend, you can get into a properly luxurious electric family car. The I-Pace mixes practicality, tech and smart…

Dawn_Grant@autovia.co.uk Running costs 38.6mpg (on test) £65 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 385/1,430 litres “For the best economy, we drive mainly in Natural[hybrid]mode” MY husband and I split our time between the south coast and London, so most of our driving tends to be around the local area, in London traffic, or up and down the motorway. But when my other half suggested that a short break would do us both good, we opted for a couple of nights in Newton Abbot, Devon, which is a journey of just over 100 miles away from our Dorset home, mostly on A-roads. For the best economy, we drive mainly in Natural (hybrid) mode and overall the car is comfortable and responsive. However, we have had issues with the gearbox, which occasionally doesn’t…

FOR Appealing cabin design and quality, well equipped, long warranty, excellent fuel economy AGAINST No seven-seat option, not that many of them to buy, lacklustre performance and average dynamics ALTHOUGH the Niro was launched in 2016 in hybrid form, the plug-in option wasn’t introduced until the following summer. Offering 139bhp from a 1.6-litre engine and a single electric motor, it seems rather weedy compared with the Outlander’s 221bhp, but the Kia is smaller and weighs 286kg less, so it’s more agile than the Mitsubishi, if not exactly fun to drive. Being smaller also means reduced practicality, and there’s no seven-seat option, as there is with its rival here. But the Niro’s dual-clutch transmission is nicer to use than the Outlander’s CVT auto and the Kia’s ride is more settled. The…

A QUARTER of a century ago, I met a bloke who reckoned he was designing the all-new MINI. “Can you tell me more?” was my obvious response. “Not really. But I’ll happily do a sketch that’ll give you a rough idea of how it’ll look,” he replied helpfully as he grabbed a cheap ballpoint pen and, on the rear of his business card, drew me a mini rendition of what he claimed was the MINI for the 2000s and beyond. The printed side of the card comprised a BMW logo, the words ‘Frank Stephenson, Design’ and not much else. At the time I was impressed by him and his lightning-fast sketching. But it’s been in the 20-odd years since that I’ve watched him grow into the most talented, versatile and…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Our first verdict on all-new entry-level Volvo EV ● On sale now, with prices starting from just £31k “The elevated driving position and excellent all-round visibility help with the enjoyment” WE were surprised when Volvo announced its new EX30. It wasn’t that we didn’t know it was coming – as usual, we were first with the scoop on Volvo’s baby SUV some years ago – but the priced raised a few eyebrows. The entry-level Core model is set to start at around £31,000 – what we’d expect to pay for a petrol-powered small Volvo, not one with battery power. That will get you the smaller of the two batteries – a 51kWh unit good for a claimed 214-mile range – but you get the same smart looks,…

We caught up with Skoda’s boss at the Superb’s reveal to ask about its significance to his brand. Q How important is the Superb to Skoda? A I think it’s our DNA. The Superb goes back to the thirties, but in its modern incarnation it’s now in its fourth generation. We’ve sold 1.6 million Skoda Superbs. It’s our flagship. Q Rivals have left the family-car market, so can you actually increase sales with this Superb? A We’re in the market to grow, but let’s see. There are so many variables coming from all directions, but the plug-in hybrid gives us an opportunity to grow. Q Will we see an all-electric Superb? A We’re working on that. There will be an electric Combi [estate], but does it have to be a…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC EV vs ICE FROM: Martin Mossman A FRIEND had a 13-plate Nissan Leaf from new, and got rid of it recently because it had no range left. He was quoted £5,000 for replacement batteries, more than the car’s worth. Beware, it’s bad enough getting a new EV let alone a used one. FROM: Richard Reid I WOULD like to run a electric car, but have nowhere to charge it. I live in a village location with no possibility of off-road parking near to the house, and I suspect there are more people in this situation than have charging stations. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ◼ “My wife’s i3 is a great little car. It would be nice if an upgrade could take it to a 200-mile range.”…

WITH plentiful cheap parts, a vast world of mechanical and cosmetic upgrades available, and so many on the market to choose from – although good examples are getting harder to find – now is the best time to hunt down an early MX-5. Prices for slightly rough examples kick off from around £3,000, but we’d aim to spend a little more than that to find a version that’s got a solid history. Ironically for a car designed to right the wrongs of old British sports cars, the main thing to watch out for with early MX-5s is rust. Make sure you check the car’s sills, floor and inside the wheelarches for signs of corrosion.…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy AUDI is lining up a new-car blitz from 2024 onwards, with fresh versions of its most popular models, plus an expansion of its EV line-up. But before the onslaught, the company has managed to sneak in a facelift for its flagship SUV, the Q8. It’s a relatively mild update, mind you. The most noticeable changes come at the front, where there are slimmer headlights and a new grille, plus more aggressive air intakes in a reprofiled bumper. The headlights are arguably the biggest change, with an HD Matrix laser configuration – a first for the Q8. The front and rear lights also get OLED tech, with four designs that can be chosen through the infotainment screen. That aside, there are three new colours – Chili Red, Ascari Blue…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler “The result is astounding, revealing elements to the tracks that we simply hadn’t heard before” WHEN it comes to high-end hi-fi, Britain rules the sound waves. Whether it’s building wonderful woofers or terrific tweeters, the UK’s audio industry is second to none, with a rich legacy of well known brands emanating from these shores. Much like the car industry, many of these famous names are now under foreign ownership, but the expertise remains in the UK, as does the drive to take audio in new directions. Those woofers and tweeters could well be consigned to history, though, thanks to new tech from a business that was spun out of Warwick University. Warwick Acoustics is firmly fixated on car audio, using an Electro Acoustic system that, it claims, provides…

MODEL TESTED: Atto 3 Design PRICE: £38,935 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 60.5kWh battery, 201bhp 201bhp Powertrain 1x e-motor 60.5kWh Battery/range 260 miles 7.3 seconds Performance 99mph 440 litres Seats up/down 1,338 litres THE BYD Atto 3 is a relative newcomer to the electric car market, but the Chinese model impressed in its first test against the Kia Niro (Issue 1,779). At £38,935, it’s the cheaper of the two rivals here, and offers much more standard equipment at this price. Tech highlights BEFORE it ventured into cars, BYD produced buses, but first and foremost it’s a battery manufacturer. There’s little wonder, then, that the 60.5kWh unit in the Atto 3 is competitive: it offers a claimed range of 260 miles and can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just under…

SAME CLASS Hyundai Kona Electric BOTH the E-2008 and Atto 3 come with their own unique spread of strengths, but the Kona has both of them beaten. This second generation has seen Hyundai eliminate the weaknesses of its predecessor while maintaining its best bits. Space is one key improvement: where a Kona was once cramped in the back, it’s now more roomy than the already vast Atto 3. The Hyundai is also more refined, yet maintains its impressive performance and range. If you’re happy with the 234-mile range, then the Kona undercuts these two on price at £34,995. Otherwise, the 65kWh model will do 319 miles for the same price as the E-2008. ● Strong pricing  ● Great performance and range  ● Standard heat pump ● Design not to all…

FOR Seven-seat availability and spacious cabin, decent value, plenty of power, lots to choose from, good value AGAINST Cabin design and finish feel outdated, unsettled ride and generally disappointing dynamics MITSUBISHI was the first car manufacturer to launch a mass-market plug-in hybrid SUV in the UK, which is why there are so many used examples of the Outlander available; the company cleaned up when it came to supplying fleet buyers, who favoured the PHEV’s advantageous tax rates. There are also petrol and diesel editions available, but it’s the plug-in hybrid that dominates the classifieds today. When new, the Outlander was far more expensive than the Niro, but Mitsubishi’s retreat from the UK, and the fact that there are so many more Outlanders for sale, ensure that values of the two…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram ● Jayde Concept gets tough ● Accessories boost versatility THE Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show kicked off last week, with the usual glut of modified and performance cars. Manufacturers and tuners from around the world descended on Las Vegas to show off their creations. Hyundai headlined the expo with a unique take on the reigning Auto Express Car of the Year. The Kona Jayde Concept gives the eye-catching crossover a daring new look – with a vibrant colourway, trick accessories and a redesigned interior. The Jayde Concept is covered in a ‘Robin’s egg blue’ wrap (not jade green, as you’d assume), and gets a front splitter, metallic side skirts, a rear spoiler and wheelarches and window trim finished in black. The concept also gets lowered suspension that…

PEUGEOT is treating its people carrier, the e-Rifter, to a mid-life refresh that boosts tech and increases its range. The e-Rifter gets a redesigned front end, with a new grille, a different bumper and fresh headlights that feature Peugeot’s ‘three-claw’ motif. Inside, there’s the option of a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless Android and Apple connectivity. The updated model sticks with a 50kWh battery and 134bhp motor, but the e-Rifter can now travel up to 199 miles between charges, a potential gain of more than 25 miles when compared with the outgoing version. There’s now a heat pump as standard, helping to preserve range in cooler conditions. The e-Rifter will still be available in two lengths and in five or seven-seat configurations. It’s due on sale in February 2024; no…

Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls www.check-mot.service.gov.uk…

THE expanded London Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) generated £23.6m in revenue in the month following its launch on 29 August, according to analysis of data released by Transport for London (TfL). In the first month of the expanded ULEZ operation, just over 57,000 drivers paid the £12.50 daily charge for vehicles that are not compliant. That broadly means diesel cars built before 2016 and pre-2006 petrols. The data also shows the percentage of ULEZ-compliant vehicles in the outer London boroughs where the expansion was implemented has increased from 85 per cent to 95 per cent, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan pointing to this as evidence that the scheme’s primary aim of improving air quality is being achieved.…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram LOOK along a typical UK road, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that the SUV is the only type of car that exists today. Buyers are drawn to the increased space and apparent security that a large body and high driving position promise. But expanding dimensions make it harder for chassis engineers to keep an ever-increasing mass in check, while a wider body makes a car more difficult to enjoy on the B-roads that thread their way through the UK’s countryside. The simple delights of driving are now tough to find. One car that has rallied more strongly against the passage of time and piling on the pounds than any other is the Mazda MX-5. The formula was straightforward enough: back in 1981, Mazda’s North American division set…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram BIG electric cars are nothing new. Yet the seven-seat EV market is curiously under-occupied; whether it’s because of the compromised packaging or lack of demand, car makers have largely held off building SUVs capable of carrying the entire family, as well as their friends. But that’s all about to change. On top of the flagship Volvo EX90 due in 2024, the likes of Jeep, Skoda and more are planning electric seven-seaters. But beating them all to market is Korean giant Kia, with the EV9. Let’s first address the elephant in the room. You may have noticed the pictures on this page (plus the spec box on the right) show a six-seat version of the EV9. That’s because our launch car was fitted with two captain’s chairs in the…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn Running costs 47.9mpg (official) £67 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.4 seconds/142mph “Fast steering delivers quick responses, but not a lot of feedback” IF you’re in the market for a small Mercedes, you’re spoiled for choice. There’s the A-Class hatch and saloon, the B-Class small MPV, the GLA and GLB SUVs and the CLA driven here, which comes as a four-door coupé (in Mercedes parlance) or the five-door Shooting Brake estate. All of these models have platforms and powertrains in common, so you just have to pick the one that’s most appropriate for your needs and budget. However, big changes are coming to the Mercedes small-car line-up. The axe is scheduled to fall on the A and B-Class, leaving the CLA to take the mantle as the non-SUV entry…

IN the end, the result of this test is decided by the numbers. The two cars have similar range, are both comfortable enough for most people and have enough space for a family, so value for money will be the deciding factor. We’ve already seen that the BYD offers more kit for a similar cash price, but how do the finance costs stack up? Place a £5,000 deposit on a 37-month zero per cent APR PCP agreement with a 10,000-mile annual limit and you’ll see monthly costs of £563 for a Peugeot E-2008 GT. With the same terms, the BYD Atto 3 Design weighs in much lower at £454. That works out at a £4,487 saving over three years. Electricity bills should be similar between the two models, because we…

SMALL ELECTRIC SUVs We run the rule over the BYD and Peugeot, as well as other options in the small electric car sector Jordan Katsianis Senior staff writer “OF all the new Chinese brands flooding the European market, BYD seems to have hit the ground running quickest. It also makes the Seal – a Tesla Model 3 rival – and the Dolphin, which was good enough for our sister title Carbuyer to name as its 2023 Car of the Year.” John McIlroy Editor-at-large “PEUGEOT’S interiors have come a long way in recent years. At a time when small cars are becoming less affordable, it seems like perfect timing; if you’re going to spend big money on a car like this, you’ll want it to feel justified. The E-2008 is special…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk Running costs 60.1mpg (official) £62 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 361/1,052 litres OUR Corolla’s last hurrah on the Auto Express fleet turned out to be a trip to the West Country with one adult (me), two kids and no dog. Which meant it was a useful reminder of the popular hatchback’s many strengths, without any of the frustration associated with my family’s frequent need to overwhelm the car’s less than class-leading accommodation. I’ve banged on about the constrained packaging several times before, but there have been very few other causes for complaint in almost six months of driving Toyota’s global best-seller, and plenty of things to admire. That second list starts with our Corolla’s swoopy styling, which gives the model a fresh and fashionable feel, even though this version…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE XC40 has lots of powertrain options, and we had responses from drivers of petrol, diesel, hybrid and full-EV models for this year’s Driver Power survey. Overall, the XC40 scores best in the practicality category, with owners pleased at the amount of interior space on offer, plus the seating versatility — awarding 15th and 21st spots respectively. But driving pleasure only manages a lowly 65th place, with 68th for braking response and 57th for handling. The Volvo is ranked in 20th for its safety features, but only 57th for the ease of operating them. Owners aren’t impressed with the usability of the controls or infotainment, and overall value also gets the thumbs down, placing 72nd in this category. WE SAID “The Volvo XC40 is a strong contender in the…